Argues that while academic libraries should integrate technology, maintain holistic computing environments, deliver core services through networks, make technology work for everyone not just the technologically adroit, and collaborate across administrative lines, reference services should retain traditional values such as equity of access,…

Discussion of the role of the school library media specialist focuses on how to diagnose information needs. Highlights include diagnostic processes for individuals and for groups; the reference interview; needs assessment; neutral questions; determining user preferences; client limitations; and evaluation. (eight references) (LRW)

Explains the concept of diagnosing information needs as part of the role of the school library media specialist. Topics discussed include the diagnostic process, i.e., the reference interview; information psychology; theories of information transfer; a model for diagnosing information needs; and implications for practitioners and for research. (19…

This study, conducted at Illinois State University library, evaluated the ability of professional librarians to answer reference questions. Evaluations by undergraduate students were scored for accuracy of response and attitude of the librarian to determine the best attitudinal predictor of accuracy scores. The evaluation form is appended. (three…

Based on a study of the Free Library's current operations, including its financial support, expenditure, facilities, usage, staff, organizational structure, administrative proceedings, goals, objectives, and specific functions, a long-range plan for the library within the framework of Philadelphia's municipal finance limitations is developed. An…

A brief history of library development in Colorado is followed by the outline of a plan which delineates four network programs: materials selection, interlibrary loan, reference/information, and communications. Though these programs are interrelated in numerous ways, they are considered here one by one. For each program, the purpose and need, the…

The DIALIB Project was a 3-year experiment that investigated the potential of the public library as a "linking agent" between the public and the many machine-readable data bases currently accessible via the telephone using online terminals. The study investigated the following questions: (1) Is online search of use to the patrons of a…

This is the final report of the evaluation of the DIALIB project--an investigation of the public library as a linking agent to major scientific, educational, social, and environmental data bases. The report is presented in seven sections and four appendices as follows: Section I provides an introduction to the study and a brief summary of the…

The organization of each unit, section, department, division, and group of the Columbia University Library is described by listing principal administrator, parent unit, role, objectives, functions, key working relationships, reports produced, and performance and evaluative criteria. The hierarchical structure of the library is indicated in the…

Discussion of the changing role of the school library/media specialists argues that skill requirements for this group should be redefined to include competency in online information retrieval techniques. Appropriate online databases available on CD-ROM and sources for training are described, and a role for academic librarians in providing training…

The role of public services librarians in collection development is examined in light of changes being brought to libraries by finances, cooperation, and information access. Highlights include situation in academic and special libraries, attributes of successful reference librarians and choices affecting collection developing, collection…

A survey of 92 corporate and government libraries in Victoria, Australia, reveals that 64.8% were restructured over the last 5 years. Reasons for outsourcing; services being outsourced; the impact of budgets; and the use of service fees are examined. (AEF)

Six articles discuss librarians as mediators in special circumstances. Highlights include the reference librarian and the information paraprofessional; effective reference mediation for nontraditional public library users, including mentally impaired patrons and illiterate adults; the academic librarian's role in the education process; and…

Discusses the development of reference services in developing countries and describes some of the functions of libraries and information services. Topics discussed include meeting users' needs; criteria for the planning and organization of services; and technology, including electronic dictionaries, computerized community information files,…

Six articles cover topics related to the impact of the Internet on reference services, including Internet's effect on communication between reference librarians; integrating the use of electronic resources with traditional reference duties; reference services and the virtual library; offering remote services; Internet instruction; and Internet…